MELBOURNE — Fire inspectors were walking amid the burned debris and taking photos at the Tucker Heights housing complex building that exploded in flames from a possible natural gas leak today. Officials are currently treating the area as a crime scene.
Earlier this morning, Melbourne firefighters and specially trained Palm Bay search-and rescue personnel found two bodies on the second floor of the Brevard County Housing Authority building. Six others suffered minor injuries, and an 11-month-old was airlifted to The Arnold Palmer Hospital For Children and Women in Orlando in critical condition.
“It’s a miracle that everybody got out except the two unfortunate victims,” said Melbourne Assistant Fire Chief Greg Anglin at a news conference.
Anglin said the state fire marshal is currently involved in the investigation, but "preliminarily, that's the only suspect we have, gas."
He said the 9-1-1 call on the explosion came in at 3:03 a.m., and the first emergency vehicle arrived in seven minutes. He said the tape of the call would not be released until the investigation is completed by the state fire marshal.
Melbourne firefighters and police, as well as the state marshal, began the walk-through investigation around 10:30 a.m. after it was determined that gas fumes had dissipated.
Killed in the explosion were Joshua Leigh Jackson, 18, and his 8-month-old daughter, Ja'Miya Jackson, investigators said at an 11 a.m. news conference. The young victim was incorrectly identified as a boy earlier. Another news conference is planned for 3 p.m.
Ron Sellers, director of Brevard Family of Housing, said all the units were occupied.
About 35 to 40 people are being given temporary housing in a motel through the Red Cross, including people who lived in nearby buildings that were damaged.
The bodies were found in an upstairs bedroom in Unit D of a two-story building, and officials believe the explosion occurred in Unit C. As many as seven of 10 townhouse-style units were affected — two destroyed. Anglin said it's doubtful the deceased ever knew what happened.
Sellers said about 40 people lived in the building. At least two other buildings were damaged.
The buildings are near Mathers Street and Steele Drive, between Lake Washington and Aurora roads.
The explosion could be heard as far as eight miles away. Satellite Beach police reported calls about a sonic boom from residents there at the time of the blast.
Before 7 a.m., workers were helping residents get signed up for rooms at a local motel.
“They’re afraid,” said Nancy O’Hara, of the American Red Cross. “They don’t have anything but the clothes on their backs.”
A Space Coast Area Transit bus, marked “Emergency Evacuation,” arrived to transport residents.
Investigators check reports of gas line tap
The rumor circulating at the scene was that a gas dryer was removed illegally from the unit, and the natural gas wasn’t turned off. Officials could not confirm that cause, and Anglin said any heat source could have set off an explosion in that case.
Ron Bell, a commander with Melbourne Police, said officers have interviewed 20 to 50 people this morning, and have received conflicting information. Police are looking into reports that occupants may have been tapping into the gas line before the explosion.
Bell said they're investigating the scene as part of a homicide investigation, though no foul play has been confirmed.
Charles Rawson, a vice president with Florida Gas, said a meter reader checked the gas meter Tuesday on the building. The reader found everything appeared to be normal, that gas was being used but there was no evidence of a leak.
Fire wall helps
Anglin said a fire wall in the apartment unit kept the fire from spreading and allowed people to escape the building.
Anglin said the fire was controlled by 4:30 a.m., but it continued to smolder and flare up. Smoke was visible from U.S. 1.
Koert Van Wormer, Melbourne fire investigator, called it the worst fire in the city in eight or nine years. He said the investigation into the explosion and blaze would begin after daylight.
Bell said a thorough search of the building would take two to three days.
Palm Bay Fire Department personnel also were on the scene to help with the search.
Amanda Lewis, 18, mother of the deceased infant and Jackson's girlfriend, said she had taken over the lease on Apt. D on March 30. She and the infant were named on the lease.
In Apt. C, the lease holder was Elizabeth Robson, 25. Police have spoken to her multiple times today. Neither she nor her children were treated for injuries.
A bulldozer is plowing through debris. It could take two to three days to determine if a gas leak was the cause of the explosion, officials said.
There were 27 people on the leases, and all are accounted for, officials said.
Reporters Rick Neale and Keyonna Summers contributed to this report
